NFL Week 15 Grades: Grading Every NFL Team’s Sunday Performance

The Sunday of Week 15 is in the books. Here’s how each team that played on Sunday graded out.

the Sunday of Week 15 is in the books. Here’s how each team graded out on Sunday.

These grades don’t just take into account how a team played and the final score. It factors in things like expectations, short and long-term goals of the franchise, injuries, and other factors. It’s a long season, and the grade is about more than just who won and who lost. The big picture has to be kept in mind.

Kansas City Chiefs: C+

21-7 (W) @ Browns

Remember, grades aren’t just about the score of the game or performance. Yes, the Chiefs handled the Browns. But, an ankle injury for Patrick Mahomes is a big deal. It’s unclear if Mahomes will be able to play in their next two games, which take place over the next nine days. That could cost them the top seed in the AFC.

Cleveland Browns: D

21-7 (L) Vs. Chiefs

Jameis Winston was awful, Nick Chubb broke his foot, and the Browns had practically nothing to celebrate. At least it won’t hurt their draft position.

Cincinnati Bengals: A

37-27 (W) @ Titans

The offense was good, as usual. But, it was the defense that stole the show, scoring one defensive touchdown and dropping the ball at the goal line for what should’ve been a second one. If they win out, they’ve got a real shot at the playoffs, since they play Denver in Week 17.

Tennessee Titans: D

37-27 (L) Vs. Bengals

The good news is they didn’t hurt their draft position. The bad news is that the Will Levis experiment is objectively over. He was atrocious, throwing four interceptions, including a pick-six. The franchise is, in many ways, starting from scratch on offense, especially at skill positions.

Washington Commanders: B+

20-19 (W) @ Saints

The Commanders nearly blew a big lead, stopping a two-point conversion after a fourth-quarter meltdown. But, at this stage of the season for the 9-5 Commanders, the only thing that matters is winning. And, win they did.

New Orleans Saints: C+

20-19 (L) Vs. Commanders

I usually do not like hiring the interim as the full-time head coach. But, Darren Rizzi continues to prove that he should get real consideration. The way they fought back late in the game was heroic, and a loss helps preserve a top-ten pick.

Baltimore Ravens: A

35-14 (W) @ Giants

The Giants are terrible, so the objective was to win and get out of there healthy. They did both. A much bigger game against Pittsburgh is on tap for this weekend.

New York Giants: C

35-14 (L) Vs. Ravens

The only thing that matters for this franchise right now is getting the number-one overall pick. Losses are good, and boy, did they lose.

Dallas Cowboys: B+

30-14 (W) @ Panthers

Jerry Jones still thinks this team can make the playoffs, which likely won’t happen. But, it technically could! So, I guess that Sunday was a big positive. They did play pretty well, and continue to play hard. Had they not lost a game last week they shouldn’t have against the Bengals, the playoffs would be a real possibility. They’re a lot better with Micah Parsons, that’s for sure.

Carolina Panthers: D-

30-14 (L) Vs. Cowboys

Yeah, it helps their draft position. But, it was a huge step back for both Bryce Young and for a team that has been playing really competitive football of late. It was certainly not the performance that Carolina fans wanted to see.

New York Jets: C+

32-25 (W) @ Jaguars

Ironically, the Jets win a game when it doesn’t matter, when they couldn’t win all year when it did matter. Ironically, Aaron Rodgers played probably his best game as a Jet, and it meant nothing. Unironically, it’s another lost season for the New York Jets, and this loss hurt their draft position considerably.

Jacksonville Jaguars: C+

32-25 (L) Vs. Jets

The Jags not only get a huge loss in the tank, but Brian Thomas Jr. continues to play like a future star. It was a good day for the franchise.

Miami Dolphins: F

20-12 (L) @ Texans

The Dolphins had a real shot to make the playoffs heading into Sunday’s game, as the schedule is soft the rest of the season. Instead, Tua Tagoavailoa was awful, Jaylen Waddle got hurt, and the Dolphins blew a very winnable game. Their season is likely over.

Houston Texans: A

20-12 (W) Vs. Dolphins

It wasn’t always pretty, especially for the offense. But, it was a solid win over a quality opponent. The Texans can take the rest of the season to try to get back into a rhythm on offense, as CJ Stroud does not look like himself.

Indianapolis Colts: F-

31-13 (L) @ Broncos

The Indianapolis Colts were well on their way to picking up a huge win that would’ve had them in great position for a playoff berth with the league’s easiest schedule down the stretch. Then, Jonathan Taylor fumbled while walking into the end zone, they threw a pseudo-pick-six on a double pass, and Anthony Richardson was awful once again. Disaster. Epic Disaster. The second F- grade of the season.

Denver Broncos: A-

31-13 (W) Vs. Colts

Bo Nix was not good at all, frankly. And, the offense was pretty bad. But, the defense made plays, they got some help from Indianapolis, and they need just one more win to clinch an unexpected playoff berth.

Buffalo Bills: A-

48-42 (W) @ Lions

Congrats, Josh Allen. After a downright incredible performance in Detroit, you are the league’s MVP. But, the defense is starting to become a concern, as injuries are taking its toll. As well as Josh Allen is playing, the injuries might not matter.

Detroit Lions: D

48-42 (L) Vs. Bills

The defense is a real concern, folks. And, Alim McNeil got hurt, which could be a huge loss. Now, not only is the number-one seed in the NFC up for grabs the last few weeks of the season, but a Week 18 loss to the Vikings could move them down all the way to the fifth seed. it was a bad day for the Detroit Lions.

Pittsburgh Steelers: D-

27-13 (L) @ Eagles

The Steelers were thoroughly outclassed on Sunday. And, TJ Watt suffered an ankle injury. The X-rays are negative, but it’s likely something that’s going to slow him down for a few weeks. That’s not news Pittsburgh needed.

Philadelphia Eagles: A+

27-13 (W) Vs. Steelers

The Eagles are now the best team in football, and they beat Pittsburgh much worse than the score suggests. Jalen Hurts was incredible, they won without a huge Saquon Barkley game, and months after wanting to fire Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia fans are talking about the Lombardi Trophy.

New England Patriots: C

30-17 (L) @ Cardinals

Drake Maye is awesome, and that’s the end of the on-field positives. But, they stayed in contention for the first-overall pick with a loss, which could be pretty important for the franchise going forward.

Arizona Cardinals: A

30-17 (W) Vs. Patriots

The Cardinals had to win and did, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process. Kyler Murray got back on track, and the defense found its groove again. Now, they’ve got to keep winning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A+

40-17 (W) @ Chargers

The Buccaneers traveled cross-country to take on a fellow playoff team and squashed the Chargers in all facets. Baker Mayfield is awesome, Mike Evans is headed to the Hall of Fame, and the run defense is great. They’re going to be really dangerous in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Chargers: F

40-17 (L) @ Buccaneers

I’ve been high on the Chargers all year. But, let’s face it, they got destroyed at home. That’s an F grade when it’s a team fighting for playoff position. 32 rushing yards is not how they want to play offense, and they gave up over 500 yards, too.

Green Bay Packers: A

30-13 (W) @ Seahawks

The Green Bay Packers controlled Sunday night’s game on the back of a great performance from Jordan Love. They played well in all facets, and at 10-4, are flying under the radar.

Seattle Seahawks: F

30-13 (L) Vs. Packers

It’s not just that they lost in blowout fashion. But, a knee injury to Geno Smith could really hurt their playoff chances. They fell behind the Los Angeles Rams, and they need a healthy Geno Smith, as Sam Howell was awful in relief. It was a really bad day at the office for Seattle.